TWINS BIRTHDAY PARTY!!! (Warning, Pic Overload)

Ronald Matthew Dodd, one minute older than his sister. Matt weighed 6 lbs. at birth. Now he is weighing in about 24 lbs and will eat whatever you put in his mouth. He has 4 teeth. Loves to cuddle with his mommy. Loves to be outside. Is walking, but prefers to "army" crawl right now, because he can get there faster. He is his daddy made over. Nicknames: Bubba Tank, Tank, little bubba, Matt Matt.

Magdalene Faith Dodd, my baby girl! Maggie was born weighing 6.6 lbs. She now weighs about 17 lbs. She is a pretty picky eater and would prefer to eat what I'm having instead of her babyfood. She loves her mommy. She has no teeth yet, but we are hoping any day now the bottom front ones will break the skin. She can walk, but is still a little more comfortable crawling. She loves her bubbas. Nicknames: Mags, Squirrel, Peanut, Baby Girl, Sissy.

We celebrated the twins birthday yesterday. We had a house full of guests and had a great time. I had just forgotten what hard work a birthday party can be. I will be better prepared next year! :)

Mr. Alan Goudy brought the Harley for a snapshot!

Trying to make their picture is a hard job!

Blowing out the candle!

Oh man, a potty chair!

Ready for a nap!

Birthdays and Starting School

We have had a busy week of celebrations.

Dad's birthday was on August 6th. We had a nice supper of steaks, potatoes and bread to celebrate. Dad is the rock of the family. He is the fixer, yard man, picture hanger, listener, there when you need him, advisor and so much more. I remember so many things that he has done for me and the family over the years. When he was driving a truck when we were small he would seem to always make important events. I remember being in the second grade and it was beauty pageant night. He pulled that 18-wheeler right on the curb at Ingomar School. Always the softball and baseball coach and most importantly always the supporter in whatever we endured. Thanks Dad for all you do and for being the man you are. Love you always!

Ms. Wanda birthday isn't until the 21st, but we celebrated a little early with a surprise birthday party. She was totally surprised. When she got to the fellowship hall for the "tupperware" party, she didn't want to get out of the car. It was such fun celebrating this milestone with her, family and friends.

And today, Kyle started the 10th grade! Where has the time gone? I remember his first day of kindergarten. I don't know who cried more, me or him. The first two weeks were awful, but we survived. Kyle is such a great kid. Don't get me wrong, he has his moments, but all in all, I couldn't ask for a better child. I hope he has a great year and makes great memories.

My Future Farmers!

Allen went shopping yesterday and bought the kids some t-shirts. I think this is a hint of what might be to come.

The twins were 11 months old on Saturday. I just can't believe I am planning their 1st birthday party already. Time has truly flown by. Every day is a new experience and even though I am physically exhausted, I wouldn't take nothing for it. Maggie is standing alone and she is just about ready to take that first step. Matt is pulling up and walking along things, but not quite sure of standing by himself just yet. Matt has his two bottom front teeth and is trying so hard to cut some top ones. Maggie has none, but is really puffy on the bottom. Hopefully soon they will break the skin. They are into everything. Allen had forgot to close the gate on the stairs Sunday and Maggie was quite, I turned around and she was on the third step headed to visit Bubba upstairs. I thought I would have a heart attack. You can't leave them alone. And if they are quite, you better go looking!

Dog days of summer! Keeping cool.

Kyle will be going into the 10th grade. His voice is changing and he has the "peach fuzz" on his face. Pretty sure that he is shaving, but he won't own up to it. Boys are so secretive! He is anyway. Allen bought him a sharp Jeep and he just thinks he is soooo cool! He does look pretty cool driving it if I say so myself.

Mags getting a nap on her daddy.

I hope everyone has a blessed day! I have asked my readers, which are very few, before to pray for Stellen. Please be praying for him. He is back in the hospital and is not doing good again.

Gatlinburg 2009

July 2, 2009 Wanda, Amanda, Mollie Grace, Kyle, Matt, Maggie and I rolled out at 3 o'clock a.m. for Gatlinburg.

Matt, Mags and Mollie

Matt just couldn't wait, so he got up with me at 2 a.m.!

We arrived in Gatlinburg about 1 o'clock and finally found our cabin. It was so nice. The Looney Bin was the name of it and I felt like I needed to be in the Looney Bin! Kids made the ride pretty good. The last hour was the worst. But we made it!

We went to the Hoot and Holler dinner show on Thursday night. It was good. It was something that we hadn't seen before.

On Friday we went into town and had a GREAT meal here

Hard Rock Cafe

We walked the streets and played some putt putt golf at "Cooters". Kyle wanted to go to the Bass Pro Shop so we did!

We went to the Black Bear Jamboree Dinner Show that night. It was great. Meal was great. We had been before, but this time it was a new show and it was wonderful.

On Saturday we packed a picnic lunch and headed for Cades Cove. It is so nice and peaceful there. We finally found a table and had lunch then we played in the Little Pigeon River. Water was ice cold, but we loved it. We drove thru and saw turkeys, deer and bears. It was neat, it just took us forever. So as a reward to ourselves, we stopped at the store there and had us some delicious soft serve ice cream. We went back into town and had a good meal at Bubba Gumps. At 10 the fireworks show began and it was awesome. So proud to be an American!

Bears were playing in this area

This is a big buck! If Kyle would have just had a gun!! JK!

Sunday was shopping day. What an experience. Twins hate the stroller so we were all exhausted from totting them around. Matt especially. He is just a chunk!

Our trip was great. Weather was great.

Now I guess I better start planning the twins birthday party. It won't be long. This time last year I had been taken off work and was sitting and waiting on them to arrive. Now they are about to turn a year old! Where has the time gone.

I hope everyone had a great 4th!

Lesson Learned

Never leave your 9 month old twins alone in the living room long enough to go get the laundry out of the dryer because.......

This.....

Plus this......

Equals this ........

Allen has a bad habit of leaving spit bottles and cup lying around. Mags just happen to get to this one. Needless to say, Mags wasn't too happy!

Have a great day!

Destin 2009

Have you ever thought, "Maybe this just wasn't meant to be?" Well, I have.

Back in February I asked mom and dad if they would go to Destin with me and the kids when Kyle got out of school. They said they would love too and Dad got online and found us a great place to stay. We decided that we would need to take two vehicles, you know, with the babies and all they require, it was gonna take two cars. Mom had just gotten a new car in February and I was on the look for one. Got mine in April. Then we waited for the weeks to pass. We were leaving on May 22. On Saturday, May 16, I called Mom that morning and asked her to come down to the house to help me get the house in order and get some of the babies stuff packed up and just help out in general. I was in the kitchen with Maggie, Allen had Matt outside. All the sudden the door swings open and Kyle has Matt and says Nana's had a wreck turning in our driveway. I got the kids and we rode to the end of the drive to see what the heck was going on. Her poor car. And how she loves that Ford Edge. The left front look terrible. I just knew it was totalled. The good thing was no one was hurt and a car can always be fixed or a new one bought. We got her back to the house and then we started talking about how she just didn't know what she would do without a car. How would we go on vacation? Dad said we will get a rental car or just go in my truck. Truck, how the heck we gonna haul all the stuff we need? Then he remember his friend had a luggage carrier. We could load it down and put it in the back. No problems. Things looking better for vacation!

Monday came and went with no trouble. 4 days til we leave for some R & R. Tuesday no troubles. Maggie had a little runny nose, but was fine. 3 days. Wednesday I had to go to Aberdeen for some bankruptcy training. Dreading it with a passion, but had to do it. When you go to the Federal Building in Aberdeen you can't take your cell phone in. I told Ms. Wanda if she needed me she would have to call the Federal Building and ask for me. I checked on the kids at lunch and all was good. Maggie just didn't feel real good, but a cold can make you feel lousey anyway. I got out of class at 3:30 and headed for the car. 1 more day til vacation!! I got my cell phone out and I had a missed call from Ms. Wanda. I called her back and she said "Missy, I think you might want to take Maggie to the doctor." I said, "Doctor?" What's going on?" She said, Maggie just isn't breathing real good. So here I am, 3:30 in the afternoon an hour and a half from Ingomar. I get to Ms. Wanda's about 4:45. I had called the pedi office on my way home and talked to the nurse and they couldn't see her until Thursday morning. I thought, this is just great!! When I got to Ms. Wanda's and saw how bad Maggie really was I knew we couldn't wait til morning. I called nurse back and she said just take her to the ER. I HATE THE ER. WAIT AND WAIT! But mom and I loaded her up and off we went. Got to ER and they took us right back. Doc came right on in and looked at her and said, "We are going to do an x-ray, swab her nose, do a breathing treatment and be prepared to stay the night, looks like she has bronchitis." STAY THE NIGHT? Ok, if we have too. They started an IV in her little foot. Drew some blood, etc. Whatever, just getting her to feeling better. She and I had a long night in the hospital. IV blew in her foot about 2 o'clock. And for those of you that know me, know I hate needles and I also hate to see my kids hurt. The nurse came in and said, "We are going to have to take her and restart the IV." So they took her, and I paced, brushed my teeth, ate some nabs, paced, and paced some more. Freaking out pretty much. They brought her back and the nurse said she did really well. Good, because her momma didn't! Doctor came around about 10 and told us we could go home with oral meds and breathing treatments. Great. I said, "Ok, we are to leave in the morning for Destin, should we or shouldn't we." He said, "I think it will be fine, just give her the meds and breathing treatments." DESTIN HERE WE COME! Friday morning at 5 a.m. we rolled out. Me waiting on that first cup of coffee to get me going since I was running on much stress and little sleep. We made it to Mederian about 8 o'clock to have breakfast. Feed the kids, gave Maggie a breathing treatment and off we went. We got to Destin about 3. And guess what, it was raining. Cats and Dogs Rain. Who the heck wants to go to the beach when it's raining. I did, I needed to get away. Got to the condo. Very nice complex. Dad and I went to check in and we saved a hundred dollars. Yeah, a little extra cash. Found the condo, unloaded in the rain, and then everyone was ready for some supper! We went to the Crab Trap. Had a wonderful meal. Saturday morning we got up to more rain. It slacked a little and I told mom that I was getting a shower and we would go to Target and Dad was taking the boys, Kyle and Dillan Speck, to the Bass Pro Shop. Got to Target raining a little, let mom and twins out at the door, parked the car, ran to the door and the dang bottom fell out, lighting, thunder the whole works. I told mom I just didn't think it was meant for us to be here. Finally about lunch time the sun was trying to shine. We had lunch and rode along the beach front. It was beautiful. Then the rain came again. We all went to supper at Jim and Nick's BBQ. It was new and the service was bad. Matt was not a happier camper, so needless to say supper wasn't too pleasant. Sunday morning raining just a little, Maggie not feeling very well and by this time I have the crud. So we all had a little breakfast and went back to bed. So nice. Nothing you really have to do. Just rest. Rain gave way to some sun and we enjoyed the pool and golf course. Had a nice supper at Landry's. Good food! Probably the best meal I had while we were there. Monday morning sun was shining. Great, we are going to the beach. Dad wasn't too crazy about taking the babies to the beach, so he said, "Missy you take the boys and mom and I will keep the twins here." Good deal. So with book in hand, tanning lotion, sunglasses and camera Kyle, Dillan and me headed to the beach. I just love it at the beach. So peaceful. So relaxing. No stress. No troubles. Stayed a couple of hours and then headed back to the pool. Supper was at the Back Porch. Another good meal. Tuesday was our last day. Needed to make the most of it. We took the twins to the beach. Dad said, "Only for a few minutes. They will blister before we know it." I rubbed them down with sunscreen, and off we went. Twins weren't too crazy about the sun nor the sand. We all stayed about an hour and decided the pool would be better. Had a great day of swimming and chilling. Kyle had supper pick and we ate at Fudpuckers. Pretty good. Not the best. Wednesday morning we packed up and headed home. Had a great trip after thinking that we would never make it to the beach. Now we are looking forward to next year. I think the twins will be just the right age for digging in some sand!

Poor baby girl.

Beautiful

Fun in the sun!

Matt and Nana chillin.

Swimming just wore them out!

Bubba helping out with little bubba.

Part of the Family

Big and Nana with their 3 favorite grandkids!

Me and the kiddos!

Matt

Mags

Mags telling Matt the plan!

The devil tempts us in so many ways. Makes us wonder why things happen to us. But as mom says, "Missy you don't need prozac, just hand it to the Lord and He will take care of things." HE took care of getting me and my family to the beach safely, allowing us to have a wonderful time, and bringing us home safely. God is good.